It seemed that with the death of his children and the Kurokuwa that Retsudo Yagyu had run out of pieces to put into play against Ogami Itto, but that proves not to be the case in "Twilight of the Kurokuwa," Volume 18 of the Lone Wolf and Cub manga epic by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima. For the first time in the series the Shogun makes an appearance (although we never see his face), and we can only speculate as to what impact this will have on the blood feud;

(88) "Firewatchers of the Black Gate" finds Retsudo Yagyu leading the Shogun's annual pilgrimage to the family mausoleum. As part of this ritual we learn about the Shogun's bodyguards, the Firewatchers (the Kemuridome-Shu), who are also the warriors assigned to ensure all fires are out along the route; each carries a section of ladder that can be joined together with others. The Shogun, concerned that Ogami Itto's actions are eroding the Shogunate, tells Retsudo to solve this problem within a month or forfeit his own life. Retsudo then orders the Firewatchers to kill Ogami Itto, and in this story we see their first attempt.

(89) "The Immortal Firewatchers" continues the quest of the Firewatchers to kill Ogami Itto, who is trying to get to Edo by water. However, as such things often do, this fight comes down to a duel between Ogami Itto's Suio-Ryu and Habrui Genbu, Kuromon Kemuridome-Shu.

(90) "Paper Money" brings together several themes we have seen in earlier stories. Again, rather than helping to slay Ogami Itto, there is someone who want's Lone Wolf's help. However, this time, it is not his sword that is desired, but rather the money he has collected on the Assassin's Road.

(91) "Lifeline" finds Daigoro once again separated by his father because he had been distracted. Now Daigoro struggles to catch up with his papa, following the two tracks of the baby cart that Lone Wolf pushes across the sandy beaches. This is another one of the classic stories in this series where the dialogue is at a minimum and it is Goseki Kojima's drawings that carry the story.

(92) "Twilight of the Kurokawa" reveals that not all of the Kurokawa ninja have been slain by Ogami Itto. Retsudo Yagyu visits the retirement home of the Kurokawa, where there are five old men who had served their code for fifty years and now live out their final years in Kurokuwa village. Retsduo relates what Ogami Itto has done (represented by Kojima's artwork) and "asks" for these old men to use their famous sword wheel, which has never been defeated, to kill Lone Wolf and Cub.

After the bloody two-parter that begins this collection, the final trio of stories suggests a quiet before the storm, or at least a significant lull in the action. The ebb and flow of this grand saga is part of its strength, for this is not a bloodbath from start to finish. In fact, the fights are the least compelling part of the narrative for me. Instead, I focus on the character development, the historical detail, and, of course, the relationship between father and son. I am now two-thirds of the way through the Lone Wolf & Cub story and continue to look forward to reading the next episode each night before retiring. As soon as I finish I will probably start it over again, to better appreciate how Koike and Kojima put their masterpiece together.

If you are reading this review then you have most likely read the past 17 or so books in this series and are hopelessly lost in the tale. Will the wolf win? If so, will he live? You know these answers from the very begining so don't bother asking now. At this point I think we must ask...if the wolf and cub correct in continuing? Don't say YES without thinking. The wolf is no longer killing the guilty or those he is paid to. Now he is fighting people with hearts as good as his, and samari that follow the code of the sword as closely as him. How much is one mans revenge worth? Read on my friends we shall know the answer soon.

The Shogun himself enters into the story, imploring Retsudo to remove the wolf plaguing the landscape. The Yagyu are already mocked at court for their failure, and the Shogun makes it clear that the Yagyu honor is at stake. He lends Retsudo his elite group of firewatchers- unparralleled fighters under the direct service of the Shogun.

In the second half of this volume, a desperate and half-blinded Retsudo calls upon the true last of the Kurokawa - a retired group of ninja, now aged and crippled, but still deadly. They have fulfilled their years of servitude to the Yagyu, but Retsudo insists that they perform one last mission: Kill Ogami Itto!

As this series progresses, and spirals further into the depths of sacrifice for duty, the whole concept of Ogami vs Retsudo fades, as does good vs evil. They both seem to be men trapped by their roles, trapped by their obligations, destined to agony by their senses of responsibility- Itto to his road of hell, and Retsudo to his blood line.

If you are interested in a critique of Budo, and a sharp critical gaze into the intricacies of Japanese origins of honor and duty, you must read these books.

I thought this book was the best of Beverly Barton. I could not put this book down, I had to finish reading that day. Deanna was so in love with Luke, but her family stopped at nothing to keep them apart. His trial and release from prison for the murder of Deanna's father was unreal. Deanna came back into Luke's life to clear his name, but the only thing on his mind for her was revenge. I loved this book, the passion and sex, was great. But the plot and the ending of this book was unreal. I could not believe it. Keep writing those books BEVERLY!!!

This book was so good. I love every book that I've read by Beverly Barton, but this book had to be the best. They loved each other, but her family got in their way and would not let go. This book is full of passion and sex. The plot was so good that I could not put the book down until I finished it. I read it in a day. What can I say? Just read her books, you will thoroughly enjoy them.

I have read this last book of Beverly Barton's. I love this book. The passion, sex, plot and the ending was great. I recommend this book to anyone who would like to read it. It is worth you time to read this book. I have read every book I believe Beverly has written. She is a great writer with so much feeling in her books.

This book about Louis XIV is an example of all of the good things that an academic biography can be. Wolf is literate, stylish, and keeps the pace going while placing Louis's life, and his frequently extreme actions, in their proper historic context. For instance, Louis's incessant warmaking arose not out of a sadistic urge to send as many armies to the slaughter as possible, but from the prevailing seventeenth-century philosophies of statecraft and diplomacy, as inculcated in him by his mentor (and de facto stepfather) Cardinal Mazarin. Louis's preference for absolute and personal rule was a reaction against the lawlessness of the "Fronde" revolts that occurred during his minority. His intolerance of the Protestant Hugenots was short-sighted, but his Catholicism was sincere - and he spent the last years of his life repenting his many extra-marital affairs. For all the glamor of his reign - the palaces, the splendid mistresses, the glorious campaigns and sieges - Louis's last years were punctuated by military disaster, and he (bizarrely) attributed this near-loss in the War of the Spanish Succession as God's punishment for his earlier adulteries. While, as Wolf establishes, the reign of Louis XIV was epoch making, he himself leaves us with few bon mots or merry sayings, and for all of the sparkle and glamor of the era, one suspects that Louis himself was a rather humourless man. But never dull.

I had to select a text on Louis XIV to read, and chose this one based on the fact that is simply appeared to be the most authoritative. My hunch turned out to be correct. This book is filled with surely close to every detail on the Sun King, yet provides such information in a context that makes for a very interesting read. Every aspect of the monarch's life is considered, every stereotype of his absolutist reign analyzed. John Wolf leaves no stone unturned in his quest to uncover the true Louis XIV and the environment that made him.

Louis XIV is one of those figures of history who attract a variety of biographers and who can blame them? He was king at 5 years, set France on the road to being the leading power in Europe, built Versailles, waged war against the "Grand Alliance" (led by Winston Churchill's ancestor) and died following the deaths of most of his family. Two contemporaries, his sister-in-law, the Duchess of Orleans and the Duc de Saint Simon wrote extensively about what it was like to live within the orbit of the sun king. The gossip-packed writings of both have served to create cottage industry (at least in the UK and America) in which Louis XIV is remembered as a great figure, with a great story. However, few dwell on any of Louis's achievements (other than the construction of Versailles).

This is what sets Professor Wolf's book apart from the others, for it is Louis the soldier, not Louis the lover that is explored here. If one wants to understand the workings of 17th and 18th century France and indeed Europe, one can not do better than this outstanding book. Unfortunately, this book is not widely available and this is tragic, since it is one of the best works of scholarship in the 20th century. I would recommend, if one is seeking to understand the dynamics of France and Louis (and the two were much the same during the period in question), to seek out a second hand version of this book. While the text can at times be demanding, it is well worth the effort.

This amazingly talented author has given us yet another of her incredible stories. Her characters will reach out and grab your mind and your heart. You will feel your heart being squeezed and will shed tears of happiness for them. I dare you to read this story and not look at your own life differently. You will watch these characters face the challenges life throws at them with strength of character, deep natural compassion and unlimited ability to love others. You will feel your belief in the goodness of people renewed. You will absolutely fall in love with the three characters in this Beauty and the Beast meets Little Orphan Annie story and will be very grateful for the roller-coaster ride. But be warned, you will not be able to put it down. This author is MAGIC.

If you love dark brooding mansions, tortured heros and spunky heroines you'll love this book. I did. The sexy hero made me wish I'd gotten stranded in his old mansion with him. And the heart warming love story of two people finding it within themselves not only to love each other, but themselves as well made me laugh and cry. The girl with her legion of gargoyles was a novel addition. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and look forward to Ms. Lyons next one.

When journalist Angie Rose hikes up the mountain her objective is clear. She can't bring herself to visit Kent's orphanage to write a story about the children. In an effort to save her job, she'll seek audience with the reclusive Jason Kent himself, hopefully appeasing her editor with the story of the remarkable man who funds the orphanage. But when he opens door in the blinding snowstorm, inviting her in much against his will, Jason's shocking physical appearance and infirmity quickly changes her mind. She can't destroy the wall of privacy that protects this incredible man.

Lt. Jason Kent lives secluded in an 800-year-old gothic mansion, brought stone by stone from Germany. However, the gargoyles, which guard its turrets, can't keep the pain the world offers Jason at bay. A mission gone wrong has forever changed his physical appearance and abilities. Now he only interacts with the world through the computers in his study and the occasional visit of one of the children from his nearby orphanage.

The recluse had started his orphanage as an extension of a gag. He'd risked everything once to save a child from certain starvation, smuggling her into the United States. He had all kinds of money and nothing to do with it, so he started an orphanage for hard to place children in memory of that first child he'd rescued. But the terrible scars resulting from his last mission keeps him from the halls of the orphanage, and from the hugs of the grateful children.

Angie understands the need to hide. She lives with her own deep-set fears; that is, if she risks her heart with Jason he will find her wanting. She can't stand for him to look at her with that look of pity and disappointment that she'd seen in her previous fiancé's eyes after the drunk driver came around the curve at her on the wrong side of the road. Sure, Stephen had said all the right things, but he had also left her standing at the altar. She absolutely believes that Jason will want more, and certainly deserves more, than she can possibly give.

Talented author Judith Lyons has a marvelous gift of characterization. Even as she exposes the deep-set emotional vulnerability of her characters, Lyons doesn't allow them to wallow in self-pity, but forces them to confront their weaknesses and grow. The well-crafted plot, unique setting, and intrusion of a whimsical child weave together in an exhilarating plot. Reflecting both the tragedy and the triumphs of life and love, SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT comes highly recommended.

Mary Wolfe has the perfect life with the perfect family until they lose everything and start to travel around the country in thier old RV. Her father starts to drink and becomes abusive, and her mother acts like a child, and refuses to grow up. Eventually Mary becomes the parents to her parents. Then Mary's crazy life spins out of control after one fatal day.

i thought it was the most wonderful book i ever read.i suggest it to everyone. i know anyone will love it

A 2 year vacation with 3 sisters and your parents. Maybe some people would like to get away from everything for a while. Mary did, too, until it all becomes too much. Mary was sick of it. Mary, being the oldest, took a lot of responsibility over ger younger sisters. Almost enough to have them call her mom. Their real mom being pregnant doesn't help, either. Finally settled on the west coast, Mary hopes things will get better, but they only get worse. Mom starts retreating back to childhood and Dad is trying his hardest to believe his own lies. Mary is aware something has to be sone. She sees everything falling apart; what is there to do? The RV breaks down, which only makes Dad mad and turns him to drinking. Now, stuck there, no place to turn,no one to turn to, Mary finds a solution. Definitely not a easy one , but a permanet one. Mary Wolf never wanted to hurt anyone, she just wanted a home. This book is easy to relate to. You realize you don't always see how good you have it, until you see someone who has it worse. It's very easy to read through the book without putting it down once. So, don't have anything to do this afternoon? Pick up Mary Wolf by Cynthia D. Grant, and listen to her story.

This, being book 12 of the Lone Wolf series, and the final chapter in the plights of Lone Wolf in the discipline of the Magnakai, pits Lone Wolf once again against the Archlord of Darkness, one Lord Gnaag, supreme ruler of the Masters of Darkness. Lone Wolf returns from the Dazhiarn, an alternate world, only to find his enemies, the nemesis of the Sommlending, about to storm his very homeland! He must journey to infernal city of Heldgedad, the very stronghold and capital of the evil oppressors! Here chronicles one of the very best adventures Lone Wolf embarks upon, and you can bet it is one of the very best of the series, which curtails approximately 32 books long-and well worth reading every one!

Lone Wolf Series fans will be delighted with #12 Masters of Darkness, as it supplies a much needed sense of closure to the "Magnakai" chapter in the series (noting that the series continues with at least 10 other books last I heard). I've followed the series from the start (Flight from the Dark)up to Legacy of Vashna and in my opinion, Masters of Darkness is the book I remember most vividly. Within it is the adventure in which Lone Wolf actually stops messing around and confronts all the major Darklords in a battle worthy of legend (even in terms of this series, it is a wonderful climax plot-wise). Highly recommendable, fun, and a must-have by fans for fans.

It is hard to single out a Lone Wolf book in quality-they all share but one thing: their amazing breathtaking superbness. But one in particular does indeed rank superior to some of its predecessors and followers: The Masters of Darkness. The thrilling conclusion to the Magnakai and Kai adventures, The Masters of Darkness transports the reader from ship to beast to places that lurk in the nightmares of Lone Wolf. The reader must fight the terrors of the Kaltersee, the new city of Argazad, and finally, smuggle himself to the Black City and make a stand for the future of the entire world of Magnamund. Along the way the reader encounters, in incredible prose, the darkest and most infamous creatures in the Lone Wolf series: the Masters of Darkness. If you have read Lone Wolf books but not the Masters of Darkness, you haven't read Lone Wolf

Marks book has changed my life. I read his book in August of 2002 and was very impressed with what he said. I soon started the workout for myself and have seen some major changes in the shape of my body. His workout is hard and isnt for the wimpy but I would recommend it to everyone. I teach this workout to ladies at my church who range in age from 18-55. They have seen great results also. They keep coming back everyday so I know they love it too. If you want to get in shape try it, it works!

I am extremely generous with this rating because Mark was bold enough to get himself in print at all. He mailed to me what I believe was a prototype version of the book back in early 1997. By what I mean by prototype is a light-brown 8X11 paperback with black-and-white pictures. Also, Mark had a nice write-up about the book in General Nutrition Center's magazine, "Let's Live", also in 1997, referring to this very same book. (This was around the same time Demi Moore's film "G.I. Jane" was released, about a fictional female SEAL.)

Wow! These are not your ordinary exercises. They have a whole bunch of uncommon exercises from the most extreme you can image to really easy. Exercises that work your explosive muscle fibers as well as leaving in pain and out of breath. That is of course if you wish to push yourself. Their are dozens of un heard of stretches that stretch parts of your body you have never stretched even through running books and basket. I know because i am a cross-country runner. This book is full of great exercises that work all your individual muscles to the max. Its so easy to do the exercises because they dont require any equipment just yourself. If you think you are so tough and nothing can compare to your strength, just try some of these exercises and see for yourself.

This is a difficult book to describe. The author is writing about the life of a woman she knew who is destroyed by life under the communist regime in East Germany. It speaks to the reader about the dangers of totalitarianism, the freedom and beauty of the human spirit, and about relationships. The relationship between the author and the title character is in itself interesting. She is trying to keep the memory of Christa alive, and yet the author seems to say at times that she doesn't know if she even really knew Christa. As usual, this novel has alot of Wolf's brilliant examinations of the nature of memory -- memory is a recurring theme in all her novels. Wolf's gifts for language, imagery, and insight are stunning. The translation is well done. This is one of the best books I've ever read. I highly reccommend it.

Christa T. is the story of a woman growing up in post-war East-Germany - under Communist rule. She is not openly hostile to the regime, but she is a woman who does not fit in, a dreamer and a romantic. Her life is not outwardly dramatic: She reads literature at university, works as a teacher, marries a vet and lives far away from the big city, but this intensely private life was in itself an act of rebellion in a country which wanted fervent supporters of Communist doctrine, and which expected writers to celebrate tough workmen. Christa T. is also the story of a woman trying to find the words to write about another woman's life, and this is "The Quest for Christa T." - Christa Wolf ranks among the best authors now writing in German, and the quiet tragedy of Christa T. is one of her most moving books.

Christa Wolf brilliantly succeeds in creating a new literary space, one that surfaces during the interplay and transition between subjectivity and objectivity. Through the course of her novel she writes somewhere between the "I" and the "you"; in this shifting, elliptical state we begin to understand that the self is neither wholly interior nor exterior, and that the quest for self-knowledge can be as lyrical, as immediate, and as maddeningly unreachable as her prose. An incredible book

I had never found any book that guided me on a spiritual experience. I have heard a lot about Shamanic journey but I had no idea that it was, as wonderful, as this. I can see and visit spirit all the time. I think anyone who is loooking for a spiritual experience should read this book. The art is wonderful. Thank you Wolf Moondance for your words. You are in my prayers-always. Ralph Grin

This is a beauty. The art is wonderful. The journeys are grand. You can't miss this one, you'll love it!

I received a signed copy of Rainbow Spirit Journeys as a gift from the author, and I would like to rave about how wonderful this work is. Having read all of the author's works, I was looking forward to this book. Wolf Moondance's creativity abounds as she instructs and guides readers on how to journey about Spirit, Money, Death, Marriage, Spirtual Path, Bad Habits, Sleep, Empowerment, and Children. Along with excellent written instruction on meditations (journeys) and dreams, the book includes magical watercolor work by Connie Seabourn. With the combination of Wolf's talented writing and the full page color watercolor magic by Ms. Seabourn, this is sure to win over any reader's heart. Please do yourself a favor and buy a copy for yourself, and one for someone you love. Wolf Moondance also has a creative, spiritual web site, the home of Rainbow Medicine, Spirit Medicine, Star Medicine, and Bone Medicine.

Runaways, America's Lost Youth is a nonfiction study of teenage runaways. It appeals to young adults as well as parents of young adults who have run away or who are threatening to run away. The authors did a great deal of research on the subject and it is helpful to anyone interested in the subject. It is full of reasons young people give for running away and of suggestions for keeping children at home. This is a harsh book, exploring the dangers facing youth who are on their own. It can be ugly but it is important and I would recommend it to any young person thinking of running away or to any parent who fears his or her child might run.

RUNAWAYS, AMERICA'S LOST YOUTH is as pertinent today as it was the day it was written. Although the young runaways profiled in these case studies may be old enough now to have their own children or even grandchildren contemplating running away themselves, the basic reasons for running away from one's home remain the same. Times change and specific situations change from generation to generations, but the basic needs and desires remain the same in the relationships between parents and their children. Having read this book at a critical time in my own adolescence, I can speak from experience. This book made a difference to me at a time in my life when consequences were not a significant factor in the decisions I made. I was planning to run away from my home until I read about the realities of life for young runaways. Compared with the experiences of the nine young people profiled in this book, my own circumstances did not seem to be as insurmountable as I had previously believed. I was inspired to work toward constructive solutions in my life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone considering running away or to a parent who suspects that their child may be considering this desperate measure.

RUNAWAYS, AMERICA'S LOST YOUTH is a timeless study of a problem that will be with us as long as their are parents and children. Although it was written in the seventies and focuses on the sixties, the truths here are eternal and the information is still timely. Maryanne Raphael and Jenifer Wolf describe nine case histories in dramatic terms, making them come alive on the paper for young and old to see and perhaps begin to understand. The book was written as a plea to parents to listen carefully to their children and as a warning to youth of the dangers and discomfort awaiting runaways. It is a compelling study of a serious problem and an attempt to help solve it. I recommend the book to all parents and any child thinking of leaving home. Reviewed by Susie Chesser